Writers’ Player of the Game vs Orleans Firebirds: Zach Yorke

By: Matt Coates

“There are not too many guys better than [Zach Yorke] inside the batter’s box at home plate,” said assistant coach Eric Luksis. 

Yorke earned high praise from his coach at the end of Sunday’s game. The writing staff agreed, awarding Yorke the Writer’s Player of the Game after going 2-2 with three walks and two runs scored. In what ended up being a tough loss for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, Yorke was the bright spot in a rather dormant offense. 

Yorke’s team-leading three walks tonight brings his season total up to ten, helping him lift his on-base percentage to .418. 

“[Yorke]’s a professional hitter,' coach Luksis said. This isn’t the first time we have heard this about Yorke, and it’s hard to argue. He has been one of the most impactful players on the team, earning four P.O.T.G awards in only 18 games. 

Zach Yorke

Clearly, Yorke wasn’t wasting any time in this matchup, getting on base every time he stepped into the box. He was one for one after the first inning, sending a bloop single high into the air, falling in no man's land in center field. Yorke walked in his next two plate appearances, working a full count in the sixth inning. 

Yorke then led off the eighth inning with another single. He would round the bases and score Hyannis’ only run through eight innings of work. Yorke finished his incredible night in the ninth, walking with the bases loaded before getting home himself. 

The Harbor Hawks went through about half the season without Yorke, but they sure are glad they added him. Even after arriving at the Cape Cod Baseball League late, he never skipped a beat. Yorke earned a hit in each of his first 12 games on the Cape, adjusting to the wood bat league instantly. He credits his coaching staff at Grand Canyon University, helping him hit every day to stay prepared. 

It's safe to say Yorke’s preparation has paid off, as he is second on the team with a .338 batting average. His three homers are tied for second on the team, and his 19 RBIs are enough to keep him solely in the second spot. The man he is trailing in all those categories is league MVP candidate Cam Smith. 

Incredibly, Yorke has earned an RBI in all but four games this summer, piling up seven multi-hit games as well. It should come as no surprise that he would be among league leaders in all batting categories if he qualified. However, he does not have the at-bats with his late call-up. 

Right now, Yorke isn’t focused on his success and stats. The team is gearing up for a potential playoff push, hoping to do some damage starting August 5th. 

“We’re just fine-tuning things, trying to figure out who we’re going to use in key situations for the playoffs,” Yorke said. 

With just three regular-season games left to play, the Harbor Hawks are trying to get everything for a playoff run. They have already clinched a playoff spot, just awaiting final seeding as the last few games shake out.

Matt Coates can be reached at coatesm@misericordia.edu or followed on Twitter @MattCoates14